Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-02-11


NJ. Albano at a charming little hotel
and, with true politeness, monsieur hac
said little or nothing about himself, bu
had led the young man to speak of al
his hopes and ambitions.
Wilhelm's great scheme was connected
with electricity, not only for the purpose
of lighting cities and country houses
but as the moving power of the future
and M. Albano knew enough about
chemistry speedily to discern that, il
properly worked out, these plans of Will
helms might lead him to fame and for
tune.
"You will come to England with me,
Wilhelm have saved little sum;
will pay your expenses"
| No, friend, no; to England | will
come, but everything will pay myself.
Two more months will l work, and
then"
you will Gomez"
"Yes"
And be my guest for few weeks at
my little cottage home ?"
So the two parted.
Winter was still holding sway, and
snow lay deep all round Paris; but in
nine weeks time what a change there
was! With Paris, however, this short
and simple story has no longer any thing
to do. The scene shifts to a tiny but
beautiful cottage in Surrey. 1t stands
ON the slope of gently-rising hill, and
is almost buried in pine woods.
"Yes, Wilhelm" M. Albano was say
ing as the two sat together in little
tent on the lawn, "this cottage, these
gardens. the beautiful country around,
do not seem the same since Marie-since
my daughter left me. They are not the
same, for l am older now. l can not
see with the same eyes, hear with the
same ears; it seems as if the gloom of
the grave were already closing around
me-"
But Marie-your daughter-may re-
turn"
mo, that can not be; the pride that
caused her to go will prevent her return
ing She will never come back"
wilhelm was silent.
"A few hasty words-and the words
were mine-a few peevish mutterings at
the fate that banished me from my ma
tive land, that had torn from my breast
the insignia of title and honor, and COM
PEELED meme, count, to drag out a
miserable existence in a foreign country,
by aid of my violin. l did not mean to
imply that l begrudged the labor that
kept her as lady, but fear / led her
to believe so; and l would have laid
dOWn nv Efa ,to %
abe to retract, to unsay my cruel words;
but next minute Marie was gone. Gone
yes, gone with tears on her face and
mayhap broken heart, though a proud
one. And since then l have sought and
obtained engagements in almost every
capital in Europe. l have been till
now ever on the move, thinking, always
thinking, l would find my Marie; for
one brief hote-the only oneI received
told me she was so far independent,
and that on her voice alone she would
now trust for livelihood. But l am
tired, hopeless, and weary"
And so indeed he looked.
A year passed away. The old man ap-
peared no more in any orchestra. Hope
itself had fled from his heart, and he
mourned for his daughter as for one
dead.
Wilhelm was frequent visitor at the
cottage. Aided in his ambition by the
ex-count and possessed of the will to
work, the determination to triumph, and
that mental staying power which often
times leads to success without even the
aid of genius, the young man conquered
all difficulties, and was already on the
first steps of the ladder that leads to
fame.
His employment frequently led him to
Italy and to that Rome which of late
years appears to have taken new lease
of glorious life.
An event now took place which is COM
mon enough in the life of most young
men: Wilhelm fell in love. But | dc
not blame him, for all Rome was capti-
waited by the sweet voice and modest and
charming manner of young singer that
had lately been brought out by gres.
master.
Night after night, wherever she sang.
Wilhelm was there, listening enthralled.
But he could obtain no introduction. She
was so near, and yet so far.
Going home late one night from duties
that had occupied him for nearly eight.
hours, with little time fol
sleep, he heard the startling shout OF
fire. He followed the mob and the rat.
ting ill-contrived engine down narrow
dark street that, from the showers of
sparks and the smoke and heat, seemed
on fire from end to end.
Wilhelm got close to the burning
building, and helped to work the engine.
But there was other and Drawer work fol-
him to tackle. For look the faces of
young people and children frantic with
fear appear at an upper window. Who
will climb through sparks and smoke up
that rickety ladder? Who will volun-
teer to save them? Wilhelm will He
springs toward it; up and down, and up
and down, and he has saved three. He |
is scorched and burned, but seems to
bear charmed life. The last he saves